most times exceed our fears, as well as our expectations, in the growth of them.
As for the other part of your objection, wherein you complain of the depravity and corruption of your nature, belcht out many times in Prodigious thoughts of your heart, (it may be against the goodness, or justice, or perhaps against the very essence of the Divine Majestie,) the more holy you desire to be, the more grievous will such thoughts (as you call them) be unto you. Therefore be pleased to consider, 1. that in my judgment, many of these are not your own thoughts, or mo∣tions of corrupt nature in you, as you con∣ceive; but really injections of Satan, strong∣ly savouring of malice against God, and the merciful work of our Redemption. This Itake to be it, which is called the Divells putting of somewhat into mens hearts, as he did the treason of Judas, the prevarication of Anani∣as and Sapphira, Davids numbring the People, and St. Peters effeminate suggestions to our Sa∣viour, &c. These sometimes are punish∣ments for sin either in our selves or others, sometimes only trialls from God, for the manifestation of the power of his Grace, in mens souls: and I suppose they are not duly styld our thoughts, till they are admitted, and treated by us, they then become our finfull thoughts, assoon as we incline to en∣tertain and in••••r ace them. And 2ly. I doubt not, but such as these may be injected into